The Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal worth up to $25 million to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers after leading the franchise to an AFC North title in his first season with the team.
Rodgers said after signing the deal that he’d be retiring after the season, leading to speculation around what the Steelers would do at the position after Rodgers’ retirement. The Steelers have two young quarterbacks on the roster in Will Howard and Drew Allar, but buzz has increased around the possibility that veteran Baker Mayfield, who is at a crossroads with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over contract negotiations, could be the man to fill Rodgers’ shoes.
However, Steelers Wire analyst Curt Popejoy is refuting the possibility of Mayfield being a feasible option in the Steel City.
“Before anyone gets too excited about Mayfield coming to the Steelers, just understand this isn’t feasible,” [Popejoy wrote.](https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2026/06/07/the-dream-of-baker-mayfield-isnt-coming-true-for-the-steelers/90447468007/?utm_medium=website&utm_source=website_internal&utm_campaign=web_link_2) “Not even a little bit. Mayfield is currently playing on a three-year, $100 million contract. And we assume he’s going to want a raise in his next deal.
“Meanwhile, the Steelers have completely depleted their salary cap on huge contracts all over the field. Pittsburgh is going to be strapped for cash and will be forced to play a young quarterback next season at minimum.”
The Steelers’ cap situation all but ensures that next year, the Steelers will be forced to pivot toward a young, inexperienced arm for the first time since the Kenny Pickett experience. The Pittsburgh faithful will be hoping the next quarterback project goes bettter than that one.